How did the Revolution in Tunisia lead to all other Revolutions in the Middle East - Personal Statement Example

? How Did Tunisia Revolution led to all the others Revolutions In the Middle East LENG112 Fedaa Alsadeq 2/23 BACKGROUND AND RESEARCH QUESTION Origin of Revolution In the last few months, the world has experienced rampant evolutions across continents and mostly in the Muslim countries. This has resulted to political instabilities, deaths, destabilized economies, change of governments, and military rule. Although many factors contributed to this upsurge, international pressure, political interests, unfair regulations, economic breakdowns, dictatorial rule, religion, influence from other countries, and social media feature as the main causes and drivers of these revolutions. I believe revolution results from uncontrollable pressure from strong forces and though its repercussions may be unpleasant, in most cases it serves the intended purpose. Relevance of the Topic to Me I find the topic very crucial to me because I come from the Middle East where the revolution is seemingly spreading. In our country and by my religion, the majority believe in justice and equality. My religion condones the fight for human rights and fairness. As such, revolution is an aspect of life that my community and I would embrace. It is thus arguably true that this revolution will affect my lifestyle and mode of governing if it spreads to my country. What do I seek to gain from the research process? I will address a number of questions relating to the spread of Tunisian revolution to other revolutions in the world especially in the Middle East. From the research, I will seek to know the unique causes of revolution in the Middle East, the spreading formula of the revolution from Tunisia to the Middle East and the exact situation in the Middle East. I will also seek to know the actual strength of the media in a revolution, the external forces that catalyze the revolution, the hidden interests of such forces and the actual gains or effect of a revolution in the 21st Century. This will help me to get a clear understanding of a revolution in light of my country and my religion. What was the history of the region? Tunisia is the northernmost Maghreb country in Africa and borders Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. It measures 165,000 km? in area with an estimated population of about 10.3 million. It has a coastline measuring 1,300 km in length, harbors the Sahara desert in the south with the rest consisting of particularly fertile soil. The authoritative Ben Ali was the president of the Republic of Tunisia from 7 November 1987 up to the rise of the jasmine revolution in Tunisia (Carvin Web). He was authoritative, undemocratic and did not observe international standards of human and political rights. There were poor living conditions, rampant unemployment, and corruption in Tunisia prior to the revolution. In fact, thousands of young people from North Africa would enter Europe illegally to look for a better life. How did the Middle East divide into separate countries after world war one? After World War 1, many countries gained boundaries, others lost, yet others were unchanged. In the Middle East, Lebanon separated from Syria in a treaty signed in 1936. This was because of rising trade and education connections between Lebanon and Europe, and the large Christian population of Lebanon (Skahill 40-41). The population of Lebanon was either wealthy or very poor. The Middle East countries include Bahrain, Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Iraq, Iran, Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, Kuwait, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, UAE, and Yemen. METHODS What is revolution? The self-burning of Al Bouazizi who was a poor, young, and educated Tunisian who lacked employment was the beginning of expressing the injustices in the Ali regime (CNN Web). Revolutions are facts because they relate production and political power. When the oppressed majority refuses to be intimidated and recognize the fundamental weakness of their oppressors, they embrace redemption and act. They organize and participate in strikes, demonstrations, congregation in huge numbers. They show unusual heroism, sacrifice themselves, and their lives for the good of all. This is withstanding the massive power their oppressors may be possessing. When the minority rulers cannot rule properly and control communication networks then they tumble and fall, hence revolution (Mandel Web). In addressing this topic, I will use scholarly sources, news sources, and any other relevant information. I will use the scholarly sources to deduce authoritative history of the Middle East geographically, economically, and their struggle. I will use the news sources to deduce up to date information in the exact causes and situation of the revolution in the Middle East. The news sources will also help me to analyze the spread of revolution from Tunisia to the entire Middle East. Indeed, the news source and other relevant sources will help me in accessing the success and the current situation in countries engaged in the revolution. In addition, the news sources will avail relevant information relating to the international community influence on revolution in the Middle East and media effect on revolution. Moreover, I will use the news sources and other relevant materials to deduce the gains and effects of revolution in the Middle East. What is the economic situation in these countries? Most of the Middle East countries have high-income economies because of investments in oil industry, minerals, nuclear energy, defense materials, livestock, and agriculture. However, some of the Middle East Countries as Syria and Yemen rely on subsidies while Qatar and Saudi Arabia control the world with oil. Notably, the financial crisis had its effects on Middle East economy as oil prices tumbled (Economy Watch Web). Only thirteen countries in the Middle East are developing countries. What is the Media rule? How that did influence people in other countries? I believe it is because of the media that the revolution spread in Tunisia and other Middle East countries. There was heavy online media censorship in Tunisia during the uprising. However, the protesters fought and overcame the censorship by using their phones. The Tunisia media did not dare report the protests until it had made great progress. The protesters and citizens used the social media to share what was happening with the international world. They posted videos on Facebook, You Tube and other satellite channels like Al Jazeera. The video of the young person, who set himself ablaze, was on Facebook and played on many news channels. The feelings on this video catalyzed the revolution in Tunisia and other countries. These social and satellite media spread the progress and feelings of the revolution across Tunisia and other Middle East countries. Are the other countries succeeding in their revolution? Other countries have been succeeding in their revolutions. Libya and Egypt are countries that have organized successful revolutions. However, after some time, it seems like revolution did not satisfy all the people’s needs. As a result, fresh demonstrations are cropping up in Egypt and their effects will manifest with time. What is the international reaction? The international community has in a way been supporting this revolution. In countries like Libya, NATO attached the government forces thus supporting the revolution. Though they have been condemning the killings and violations of human rights during revolution, they have always advocated for people’s democracy and subsequently issued sanctions against those opposing the revolution. They commend the overthrow of dictatorial leaders through revolution. In conclusion, I observe that revolutions are undeniable facts. They have led to the fall as well as the birth of many states in the world. Some revolutions have been victorious, others defeated, but it is arguable that revolutions are there to stay as long as oppression, dictatorship, and hunger for power exist. Works Cited Al Jazeera “.How Tunisia's revolution began.” 2011. Web. 22 Feb. 2012. < http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2011/01/2011126121815985483.html> Carvin, Andy “Sidi Bou Zid: A Jasmine Revolution in Tunisia.” 2011. Web 22 Feb. 2012. < http://storify.com/acarvin/sidi-bou-zid-a-jasmine-revolution-in-tunisia> CNN “How a fruit seller caused revolution in Tunisia.” 2011. Web. 22 Feb. 2012. < http://articles.cnn.com/2011-01-16/world/tunisia.fruit.seller.bouazizi_1_tunisian-history-street-vendor-police-officer?_s=PM:WORLD> Economy Watch “Middle East Central Asia Economy.” 2012. Web. 22 Feb. 2012. < http://www.economywatch.com/world_economy/middle-east-central-asian/> Mandel, Ernest. “What Is a Revolution?” web. 22 Feb. 2012. < http://internationalviewpoint.org/spip.php?article159> Skahill, Carolyn. “A Historical Atlas of Lebanon” London: The Rosen Publishing Group, (2003). Print. Read More